back to square one
Restart from scratch
Back to square one means returning to the starting point after a setback or failed attempt: The contract fell through, so we're back to square one.
The phrase suggests lost progress—having to begin again from scratch.
It often carries a note of frustration or resignation about wasted effort.
Commence anew
- reversalComplete change of direction
- failureLack of success
- defeatVictory over another
- regressionReturn to former state
relapse · redo · do-over · reset · starting over · fresh start · clean slate · undoing
Initial stage of something
- baselineStandard for comparison
- starting pointPlace of commencement
- foundationUnderlying support structure
- groundworkFoundational preparation for something
first step · zero point · home base · scratch · ground zero · drawing board · blank slate · default
restart
Commence anew
regression · relapse · redo · do-over · reset · starting over · fresh start · clean slate · undoing · reboot
beginning
Initial stage of something
- baselineStandard for comparison
- starting pointPlace of commencement
- foundationUnderlying support structure
groundwork · first step · zero point · home base · scratch · ground zero · drawing board · blank slate · default · starting line
- idiomstime flies, hit the sack, seize the day, ring a bell, break a leg
- setbacksfailing, stuck, losing, stumbles, hit a snag
- sports idiomsdrop the ball, throw in the towel, slam dunk, out of left field, level playing field
- counting phrasesone two three, count to ten, on three, countdown, count off
- cycleslife cycle, cycle, circle of life, cycles, period
- folk sayingsproverb, adage, maxim, folk saying, old saying
back to square onemission accomplished
Task finished, goal met
finished · completed · done · home stretch · almost there
back to square onemission accomplished
Task finished, goal met
success · victory · achieved · made it · done and dusted
back to square onecontinue
Go on without stopping
press on · keep going · forge ahead · carry on · stay the course
back, backs, backed, backing, backer, backside, backward, backwards, square